Holiday traffic deaths down in Pa.

The number of people killed or injured in crashes investigated by state police during this year's Thanksgiving holiday period decreased, but troopers issued more speeding and seat-belt citations, Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said today.

Three people died and 300 were injured in crashes to which troopers responded from Nov. 25 to 29. Last year, 10 people died and 321 were injured during the five days surrounding Thanksgiving, Pawlowski said in a news release.

Police issued 7,412 speeding citations, an increase of 1,572, or 27 percent, from last year, and 741 citations for failure to wear seat belts, an increase of 164, or 28 percent, the release said.

Troopers arrested 359 individuals for driving under the influence - down from 416 last year - and issued citations to 42 drivers for failing to restrain children properly in child safety seats, a decrease from last year's total of 54, the release said.

   - Kathleen Brady Shea